Nurse Practitioner…and she does HOUSE CALLS
When I moved here a few years back, there was no standard medical care here. There were plenty of chiropractors, a podiatrist, dentists, and signs of a Providence medical office that was empty.
A few things have come, and some have gone, since then. I was pleasantly surprised to discover an imposing sign that said "Family Practice" on my way home recently.
Upon further investigation, I met up with owner-operator, and Family Nurse Practitioner, Carla Anderson.
She’s only been open for business for a few months, and she has about 40 patients already. Initially, she came to Wilsonville a few years ago to work for Take Care Health, once located inside Rite Aid.
Anderson refers to her practice as a ‘micro practice.’
According to Anderson, The micro practice concept allows for fewer patients,with more focus and attention available for each by the provider. She also utilizes an EHR system to manage her office in a paperless way. Again, this takes up less space and fewer resources - another part of the micro practice concept.
"I really think health care is in a crisis right now," remarks Anderson, "I want to treat people the way I want to be treated. I don’t think we should have to take 3-4 hours out of our day to go to get medical care."
And so for that reason, this experienced ER nurse, and Family Nurse Practitioner, opened Healing Presence Family Practice in the building where the Spokesman and some massage therapists are located off of Parkway.
"I try to keep a home-like environment, " she said of her office. She tries to keep the office comfortable with warm furnishings, and slightly whimsical dolphin decor to create a pleasant atmosphere.
"When people are ill, the last place they need to be in is a crowded, noisy clinic with stark white walls, " notes Anderson.
Now, I have heard of Doctors in other communities who make them selves available for house calls for prepaying clients. Anderson, however, is offering house calls the old-fashioned way.
She says people are slow to warm up to the idea, though. I asked her under what circumstances she might suggest a house call.
Anderson suggests house calls for people with mobility issues or transportation issues, for families with a number of small children for whom a trip to the doctor is a major expedition, or for those feeling to sick to go anywhere. Sometimes it’s better not to spread the germs around.
Although Anderson is accepted by most insurances (she is still working on the Medicaid requirements) she also offers medical services either in her office or via house call for cash paying patients as well. You might be surprised at what she charges for cash paying patients. She says most appointments will run about $45-$50. Housecalls are more, of course.
As time goes by, Anderson would "like to have a comprehensive practice" with other types of practitioners in place, but for now it’s just her. That helps her to keep her overhead low, so more people can get medical care, and she feels it improves her interaction with patients
For more information about Healing Presence Family Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner Carla Anderson, or the services she offers, her website is chock full of information. Click this link to visit her site Healing Presence Family Practice.
